Cyrtogaster
Walker, 1833
Species Guides
1Cyrtogaster is a of chalcidoid wasps in the Pteromalidae, Miscogastrinae, tribe Sphegigastrini. The genus was established by Walker in 1833. At least one , C. vulgaris, has been documented as a secondary (hyperparasitoid) of dipteran leafminers, with females laying inside without discriminating between healthy hosts and those already parasitized by primary parasitoids.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Cyrtogaster: //ˌsɪərtoʊˈɡæstər//
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Diet
Members of this are . Cyrtogaster vulgaris has been observed as a pupal parasitoid of the alfalfa blotch leafminer (Agromyza frontella), with depositing within .
Host Associations
- Agromyza frontella (Rondani) - primary (pupal )alfalfa blotch leafminer (Diptera: Agromyzidae)
- Dacnusa dryas (Nixon) - secondary via host-sharingC. vulgaris cannot distinguish between healthy A. frontella pupae and those already parasitized by this primary , leading to facultative hyperparasitism
Life Cycle
are deposited inside . stages include described egg and larval cephalic structures; final-instar larval has been characterized for C. vulgaris.
Behavior
females of C. vulgaris do not discriminate between healthy pupae and those already parasitized by other , resulting in secondary .
Ecological Role
Secondary (hyperparasitoid) that may disrupt exerted by primary parasitoids of leafmining flies.
Human Relevance
C. vulgaris has been studied in the context of of the alfalfa blotch leafminer, where its hyperparasitic may interfere with control efforts by primary .
Similar Taxa
- Dacnusa dryasBoth are of Agromyza frontella, but D. dryas is a primary parasitoid whereas Cyrtogaster vulgaris acts as a secondary parasitoid; final-instar larval differ between the two .